Blood drive set for The Block Northway to address critical supply shortage

A blood drive to help address a sharp decline in the supply during recent weeks will be held Wednesday at The Block Northway shopping center in Ross.

People who donate blood also will get a token of appreciation — a general admission ticket to Sandcastle Water Park.

Registration to donate blood is required.

The blood drive, being conducted by Vitalant, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. in the upper level of the mall’s south corridor near DSW and Land’s End.

The donation process takes about an hour. Donors should eat a healthy, low-fat meal within two hours before their appointment. A salty snack should be eaten the day before to replace the salt lost when donating blood.

Donors also should stay hydrated and avoid or limit caffeinated drinks.

Vitalant said blood centers nationwide have reported declines in blood collections during the past several weeks, including some that have experienced their lowest donor turnout in more than a year.

The organization reports that it currently has less than a four-day supply of most blood types available, and less than a two-day supply of type “O” blood.

The American Red Cross reported recently that the shortage is the result of an increase in the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries.

The Red Cross said the increased demand for blood is being fueled by patients who put off care during the covid-19 pandemic and are now experiencing “more advanced disease progression, therefore requiring increased blood transfusions.”